WORK EXPECTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24821, 18 February 1944, Page 2

WORK EXPECTED

AUCKLAND WHARVES CHANGED' CONDITIONS SIIIP AT A NEW BERTH Although official confirmation could not be obtained last night, it was stated in reliable quarters that a change occurred in conditions yesterday which will terminate the deadlock on the waterfront and permit of a resumption of cargo operations on all ships this morning. It was learned that the ship over which the dispute originated had j been moved to a fresh berth, which | would involve the fixing of its gangway j to the wharf in a now position. In the event of the gangway being ; fixed to the satisfaction of the waterside j workers, and they are prepared to use ; it and work the vessel, labour will be j called for all the other ships which have ; been idle. Labour Officials Reticent A meeting of the Auckland trades Council of the Federation of Labour was held last night, and it is understood the waterside dispute was fully discussed. The president, Mr. E. Craig, said ho could make no official statement on the report that the dispute had been adjusted. He said events at the waterfront this morning would indicate whether progress had been made. 'lhe president of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Union, Mr. H. Barnes, also declined to make any comment on the position. When the suggestion that a solution of the dispute had been arrived at was referred last night to the Waterfront Controller, Captain C. V. Stanich, he explained that the vessel over which the dispute had arisen had been shifted to another wharf in accordance with the necessary berthing arrangements for other ships/ He anticipated, therefore, that the gangway dispute could no longer apply. Asked whether this meant that work would now be resumed on the waterfront, Captain Stanich said that the Waterside Workers' Union had already announced that the men were prepared to work all ships if the gangway was made safe. He anticipated that normal working conditions would be resumed to-day. Worst Delay of War Vitally important ships remained idle yesterday and the waterfront delay had then become the worst during the war. The Waterfront Commission refused to accept the terms of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union for returning to work and no labour was engaged. A few men were working on ships which were manned before the dispute arose and American servicemen continued to work their own ships. A development in the dispute yesterday was a tightening of the observance of" the provisions governing wharf passes for waterside workers. In _ a letter to the secretary of the union Captain Stanich said that failing resumption of work by one o'clock yesterday afternoon the union membership ticket would no longer be accepted by the police as a pass to the wharves. An exception was made in the case of men who were working on ships. Ihe 100 men employed to discharge _ butter cargoes 011 small vessels were dismissed when the job was completed and other cargo was not handled. SUPPORT PLEDGED COOL STORE WORKERS A lunch-hour meeting of cool store workers employed by the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company on King's Wharf was addressed yesterdav by delegates from the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union. The president of the wharf union, Mr. H. Barnes, said yesterday that the freezing workers had invited him to address them, and that the circumstances of the wharf dispute had been outlined to them. A resolution was carried by the meeting passing a motion of severe censure I against the Waterfront Controller for bis action in the dispute, and pledging full support to the waterside workers. Work at the cool stores has been delayed by the wharf deadlock, as butter is* being held for refrigerated ships which are not being worked. Incoming I butter from the small coastal vessels has | added to the stocks. REFUSAL TO WORK PROTEST BY LABOURERS Labourers employed by the United States Joint Purchasing Board at Sylvia Park, near Panmure, refused to load and discharge trucks containing cargo which had been worked by American sailors on American ships in the port yesterday morning. About 250 men were affected yesterday, and there are another 25Q" on the night shift. The stores were worked by Americans yesterday. "The General Labourers' Union looks upon the waterfront dispute, in so far as it affects the storemen working at Sylvia Park, in the nature of a lockout," said Mr. P. Potter, organiser and assistant secretary of the union, yesterday. The men were refusing to handle only stores from the ships not worked by union labour, and had notrefused other types of store work. They had worked throughout the day on such jobs. ARMY PROMOTIONS A NEW BRIGADIER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday The following military appointments and promotions are included in those gazetted to-dnv: New Zealand Army Service Corps.— Colonel S. H. Crump to be brigvadier; Major 0. Bracegi dle to be lieutenantcolonel. New Zealand Infantry.—Major J. K. Robbie to be lieutenant-colonel. New Zealand Medical Corps.—Major A. H. Kirker to be lieutenant-colonel; Major R. A. Elliott to be lieutenantcolonel.

Now Zealand Engineers.—LieutenantColonel l'\ M. 11. Hanson to bo colonel. Colonel E. Prideaux is appointed chief paymaster, .Second N.Z.E.F. Urigadier W. G. Stevens upon his return to the Middle Fast from New Zealand resumes the appointment of Oflieer in Charge of Administration, Second N.Z.E.F.. and eommand of the Xew Zealand Maadi Camp. Hrigadier S. 11. Crump. 0.H.1';.. 0.5.0., who has heen in command of the Army Service Corps, X.Z.E.F., for a considerable period, is a former Quartermaster-General, Xew Zealand Military Forces. He was awarded the D.S.O. last year for service in the Middle East.